(Nanowerk News) Toshiba Corporation today announced a
prototype hard disk drive (HDD) that uses Discrete Track Recording (DTR)
technology to boost capacity to a record-breaking 120 gigabytes (GB) on a
single 1.8-inch platter. The drive is the first in the world to apply DTR, a
breakthrough technology that boost the areal density of a perpendicular
magnetic recording (PMR) by a full 50 percent. Toshiba plans to start mass
production of HDDs integrating DTR technology in 2009.

The new prototype HDD is a 1.8-inch PMR HDD. Toshiba's latest 1.8-inch
HDD in the market offers a single platter capacity of 80GB; application of DTR
technology boosts platter capacity to 120GB, and takes the recording density
to 516 megabits per square millimeter (333gigabits per square inch). A servo
pattern for tracking control is also formed on the disk.

DTR technology increases recording density by forming a "groove" between
the tracks on the PMR medium. The groove reduces signal interference between
adjacent data tracks, allowing the pitch of the tracks to be shortened. The
improved signal quality also contributes to raising the recording density by
50 percent.

The DTR "groove" forming process is most easily applied to small form
factor HDDs, such as 1.8 inch and 2.5 inch drives. It will take these drives
to a new level of enhanced capacity.

Small form factor HDDs are now found in such applications as mobile PCs,
digital audio players, digital video cameras, and car navigation systems. The
market has a voracious appetite for larger data capacities, as more powerful
networks and applications bring broadband audio-visual capabilities to more
products, particularly AV notebook PCs. Toshiba will sustain the industry's
ability to meet customer needs for higher areal density, operating speed and
overall drive performance through R&D that delivers cutting-edge technologies
that make a difference. Toshiba expects to lead the industry in mass
production of HDD integrating DTR technology.

DTR technology utilizes an electron beam lithography system developed in
research related to the "Nanometer-Scale Optical High Density Disk Storage
System", a national project supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial
Technology Development Organization (NEDO).